Coating apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for the in situ formation of and application to electrical insulator parts, of gaskets and pads, preferably of mica fibers, which gaskets and pads are interposed between the interfaces of the parts in their final assembled and rigidly interconnected relation. A rotor turnable about a fixed vertical axis has arms which are automatically and sequentially indexed to a plurality of fixed work stations. Each alternate one of the arms supports a first part, while each of the remaining arms supports a second part which is to be assembled with a first part. At one station means apply a coating of adhesive to the area of the part over which a gasket or pad is to be formed. At a second and subsequent station, flocking is applied to the adhesive-coated area, and at a third station excess flocking adhering to areas not coated with adhesive, is removed and collected for reuse. The flocking may be applied electrostatically to form in situ, a gasket wherein the fibers are parallel and upstanding like the bristles of a brush.

I United States Patent 1 13,552,351

[72] Inventor Michel H. Willem [56] References Cited cuss, France UNITED STATES PATENTS P 7085/06 2,198,638 4/1940 Standish 118/244 [22] PM 1968 24 122 7/1943 w k f 11s/425x 451 Patented Jan. 5, 1971 [73] Assignee Societe Europeene dlsolateurs en Verre 2328904 9/1943 Hlers 7/17 (sediver) 2,417,102 3/1947 Campbell 118/261 parismrance 2,541,396 2/1951 Winkler... 118/258 Priority y 17,1965 2,900,270 8/1959 Klein 117/ [33] France Primary Examiner-Morris Kaplan [31 1 No. 17,277 Attorney-Bauer and Seymour Original application May 11, 1966, Ser. No. 549,203, now Patent No. 3,392,230. Divided and his awncafion Feb 27, 1968 ABSTRACT: Apparatus for the in situ formation of and applis 708,706 cation to electncal insulator parts, of gaskets and pads,

preferably of mica fibers, which gaskets and pads are interposed between the interfaces of the parts in their final assembled and rigidly interconnected relation. A rotor turnable about a fixed vertical axis has arms which are automatically and sequentially indexed to a plurality of fixed work stations. [54] Each alternate one of the arms supports a first part, while each g of the remaining arms supports a second part which is to beas- [52] U.S. Cl 118/6, sembled with a first part. At one station means apply a coating 118/7, 118/50, 118/63, 118/206, 118/211, of adhesive to the area of the part over which a gasket or pad 118/230, 118/232, 118/238, 118/308, 118/316, is to be formed. At a second and subsequent station, flocking 118/319, 118/321 is applied to the adhesive-coated area, and at a third station [51] Int. Cl B05c 1l/12 excess flocking adhering to areas not coated with adhesive, is [50] Field of Search 1 18/3, 7, 8, removed and collected for reuse. The flocking may be applied electrostatically to form in situ, a gasket wherein the fibers are parallel and upstanding like the bristles of a brush.

INVENTOR Miche tLwiliam BY ATTORNEYS PATENIEDJAN 51971 sum 1 or 4 PATENTED JAN 5 SHEET 2 OF 4 m uihouJm INVENIOR Michei H.Willem ATIOR NEYS COATING APPARATUS This application is a division of application Ser. No. 549,203, filed May 11, 1966 and now US. Pat. No. 3,392,230.

The invention relates to an apparatus for the production of electrical insulators such, for exampleyas those used in high voltage transmission lines. Such insulators are used in chainlike series connected in end-to-end relation and suspended from towers. The upper insulator or unit is connected at the The insulating part of each unit is formed of a tubular shell.

of high resistance dielectric material such as ceramic, having one end closed and provided with an integral skirt portion flaring outwardly from its open end. A metal cap fits down loosely over and about the closed end of the shell or cylinder and is secured thereto by mortar, cement or plastic adhesive filling the interspace between them.

Experience has shown that for proper sealing or connection between the parts, the cement should be vibrated to assure proper compacting and setting thereof. This makes it desirable to avoid direct contact between the dielectric shell and the metal of the cap and stem, not only to avoidaffecting the quality of the seal or connection, but also to avoid deleterious of the cap and the exterior surface of the base of the insulator cylinder, and also between the interface of the insulator cylinder and stem. It is also customary to secure a rubber ring Ancillary to the immediately foregoing object, it is a further object to provide an apparatus which, by reason of the precise, accurate and reliable location, emplacement and affixing of the gaskets, produces insulators which have maximum high electrical resistance, quality, mechanical strength, and longlived reliability in service.

Still another object is to provide an apparatus which by reason of its possibilities of complete automation, makes possible rapid and reliable production line procedures, reduces costs per unit insulator, and results in an overall satisfactory product.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the type identified, which is relatively simple, positive and reliable in action, which requires a minimum of attention on the part of operating personnel, which consists of parts which are removable and replaceable, and which may be serviced with relative ease and with a minimum of down time and expense.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become clear to those skilled in the art, after a study of the following detailed description, in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an axial section of the assembled and completed insulator produced by the apparatus;

FIG. 2 shows schematically the sequence of steps performed by the apparatus and by which a pad or gasket is formed upon the base surface of the stem or shaft constituting a part of the to the rim portion of the cap, to maintain it out of direct coni tact with the skirt of the insulator at the location where it pending complete assembly of the parts into a rigid unitary t structure. But while this procedure is theoretically simple and easy, it has serious drawbacks in actual practice. The centering of each gasket or pad with respect to the'part to which it is to be adhesively secured, is usually done manually and by eye, so that exact collocation between-the gasket and part to which it is to be attached is not practically possible. Furthermore, it frequently happens that before the adhesive has set, the gasket slips or becomes displaced from its desired central position on and with respect to its part, thus aggravating improper emplacement.

If the gasket is thus eccentrically located at the time the adhesive hardens, part of the gasket is offset over the edge of the plane surface to which it was supposed to be attached; and this induces or promotes an eccentric or noncoaxial relation between the parts and results in an improperly assembled unit. At the diametrically opposite area theinterfaces are exposed and may come into direct contact and thus defeat the purpose of the gasket. It may also happen that the pad or gasket slides on the surface of the stem and becomes affixed to the side thereof with the result that the mechanical strength of the seal or joint is seriously weakened. Similar improper emplacement may also occur in the case of the gasket normally located within the base of the cap and the end surface of the insulator cylinder.

It is the chief purpose of the invention to provide an ap paratus by which the aforesaid drawbacks are overcome and eliminated.

Another object is to provide an apparatus wherein the gaskets or pads are formed in situ and become fixedly and properly attached immediately after formation.

Yet another object is to provide an apparatus which assures that each gasket or pad is centered and emplaced with a high degree of accuracy.

assembled insulator; t

FIG. 3 shows schematically the sequence of steps by which the apparatus forms an annular gasket upon the rim of the base of the cap;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the apparatus for carrying out the steps schematically depicted upon FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the means by which each cap is supported for controlled vertical movement at the several work stations;

FIG. 6 is a view showing one cap at a work station where its rim is coated with adhesive;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view, partly in section, of means by which the flocking or fibers are applied to the adhesive-coated areas of caps and insulator elements;

FIG. 8 is a vertical axial sectional view of the mechanism by which excess fibers adhering to'the uncoated areas of the item then at that station, are removed and collected for reuse;

FIG. 9 is a detailview showing how the stems are supported during treatment;

FIG. 10 is an axial sectional view of the construction by which excess fibers adhering to each stem, are blown therefrom; and

FIG. 11 is a detail view of a modification of means for processing the caps and stems prior to assembly.

Advantageously, fibers of mica, for example, are aligned and oriented by the lines of force of an electrostatic field and become affixed like the bristles of a brush, to a coating of wet varnish previously spread over the surface where the gasket or pad is to be formed, emplaced and affixed.

5 A stem 6 has an integral frustoconical enlargement 7 at its FIG. 2 shows the sequence of steps forming a pad or gasket in situ, upon the plane surface of the frustoconical enlarge- ),ment 7 of stem 6. A conveyor schematically identified at 13,

tive ends of bars 14. Each bar is fixed to the lower end of a respective one of a plurality of rods, each connected at its upper end with conveyor chain 13, in uniformly spaced relation therealong. At, or just prior to arrival at station A, an adhesive coating 16, such as polyurethane, is applied to the ,downwardly facing surface of the frustoconical ends of the stems at that station.

' As each pair of stems move into station B, they pass into an electrostatic field induced between an upper metallic screen or grill 17, and a lower parallel metal plate 18, by a generator,

not shown. The connection of the grill and plate to the generar may be made by a contact 19, carried by the conveyor at ach point where a rod 15 is connected therewith. A second contact is attached to plate 18. If desirable or necessary,

' contact 19 may also be utilized to energize a time relay open- ;ing the circuit of the motor driving conveyor 13, so that the articles at stations A, B, C, etc., are stopped for a short interval of time, after which the relay operates torestart the conveyor motor. The same motor, not shown, may also drive conveyor -.27, FIG. 3, subsequently described, in timed relation with conveyor 13.

Short fibers of mica, for example, indicated at 21, are fed onto plate 18 and by means not shown, uniformly distributed Lthereover. The distribution may be effected manually-or by means of a shaker which is periodically passed over the plate and simultaneously vibrated to produce a dusting of the plate with the fibers.

The electrostatic field thus created between plate 18 and screen 17, causes the fibers to be negatively charged, for example, by the plate and to becomeerect and move along the lines of force toward the screen or grill. On contact with the grill the fibers lose their negative charge and become positive- I ly charged so that some of them drop back onto the plate. But

as the result of the interstices in grill 13 and the velocity with which they are projected toward the grill, most of the fibers pass through an impinge upon the flat base of the stem, where they penetrate the adhesive previously applied thereto and are thereby uniformly distributed over and attached to the stem to form a gasket or pad. The remaining fibers, that is, those not thus attached, fall back upon the grill l7 and ultimately pass downwardly onto plate 18.

At station C the adhesive previously mentioned, covering the flat surface of the stems, is hardened or set by the application of heat which may be produced, for example, by an electric heater 22. The mica fibers are thus firmly attached to the 1;; surface of the stems and font! thereover a gasket of uniform '1. thickness.

At station D there is a vertically disposed cylinder 23 supaplied with pressure fluid from a source not shown. The piston #24 has a rod 25 which projects upwardly through a gland in the end of the cylinder and at its top end supports a container .126 for a bath of varnish 27. As each pair of stems comes to rest over the container, a contact not shown, carried by the conveyor chain, momentarily engages a fixed contact, closes a cir- I cult and opens an electromagnetic valve connecting cylinder .1123 with a source of pressure fluid. Container 26 is thus ,-.elevated until the lower ends of the stems dip into the varnish and are thereby coated. Following this, the pair of stems just described, was previously affixed in prior art procedures, to

f the rim by adhesive.

Some of the disadvantages and drawbacks of prior art procedures have been mentioned. Another one is-that this rubber gasket previously used, may slip from its desired position about the rim of. the cap, and become displaced so that it is finally improperly located between the sidewall of the cap and the cylindrical wall of the insulator, where it not only fails of its intended purpose but also seriously detracts from-the strength of the cement connection between the parts.

The procedures schematically depicted upon FIG. 3 are, in

general, analogous to those previously described in connection with FIG. 2. The caps 3 are suspended from conveyor 27 by rods 28 which have their upper ends attached to the conveyor, and at their lower ends are provided with bulbous enlargements releasably fitting respective cavities 12 in the caps. The spacing of these rods along the conveyor is uniform and preferably the same as the spacing of rods 15 on and along conveyor 13.

On arrival at station E, or just prior thereto, the rim 29 of each cap is coated in succession with an adhesive indicated at 30. As each cap advances with movement of the conveyor, it moves to station F where a contact 3 1.on the conveyor, or rod 28, closes a circuit to establish an electrostatic field by means of a generator not shown, but which may be the same generator as the one producing the field between plate 18 and grill 17, FIG. 2. As in the case of station B, FIG. 2, the field extends between a metal plate 32 connected with the generator at 33, and a screen or grill 34 whose meshes are about l cm. on a side and which is held at a positive potential, for example, with respect to plate 32. The separation between the grilland plate may be about 15 cm. As with plate IS'previousIydescribed, plate 32 is supplied manually or automatically, with'an even distribution of short fibers 35. The fibers are erected and impelled upwardly by the electrostatic field, pass through the interstices in screen 34, and impinge upon cap 3. Those fibers which strike the adhesive coating of rim 29 adhere theretoand form an incipient gasket.

As each cap with its adherent fibers arrives at station'G, it passes over a heater 36 by which the adhesive is hardenedv to firmly affix the fibers to the rim of the cap.

At station I-I each cap passes over a nozzle 37 which directs a jet of air 38 upwardly into the cavity of, and over and about the cap, to thus blow away any fibers which have lodgedjin'fthe cavity or on the outer walls thereof. j

At station I an apparatus generally identified at adhesive which is preferably electrostatic in nature, effects a sprayer varnish 40 which coats the interior of the cap. l

The showing of FIGS. 2 and 3 is schematic but serves to explain the sequence of steps which the apparatus carries'out. FIG. 4 shows in plan an apparatus by which the caps and'ste'ms are alternately and successively treated as and for thepurpose described in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3.

A rotor element generally identified at 41, consists" equiangularly spaced anns 42, 43, 44 and 45 extend sentially coplanar relation from a common centraaxis of rotation 46. Each of arms 42 and 44 remo ports a cap 3 at its distal end. Similarly, each arm removably supports a stem 6 at its distal end. Rotor 41 rotates in the counterclockwise direction as indi the arrow, over a fixed platform or base 47. This bjas the items subsequently described. The rotor is turne of each, by means not shown, and which effects-a auseor dwell after each rotational step. v l

At a work station generally identified at J the treatedqapor stem then at that station, is removed from its arm anclthuntreated item or element, that is, a cap or stem as the case-1m ay be, is mounted to the arm. At station K the item carried b the arm at that station, is coated with adhesive. That is to, the case of caps 3, the lower rim thereof is coated, whilem ,t he case of stems 6 the flat end of the frustoconical enlargementfis coated. At station L, fibers are applied to the coated sugfaceiof the cap or stem there located, and'at station M, exces adhering to the uncoated areas of the item then at thats on, are removed. It will be understood that-upon FIG. 4--t-he an] s 42, 43, etc. are shown at 45 from their normal or indexed positions, in order to avoid obscuration of details of the apparatus at the respective stations, and that in practice these arms are stopped only in positions over work stations I, K, L and M.

As will be clear from the preceding description of FIG. 4, the operation at station D, FIG. 2, wherein a coating of varnish is applied to the flock previously applied to the lower ends of stems 6, may be omitted.

FIG. 5 shows details of the means for supporting and vertically moving the caps. A pressure fluid cylinder carried for example, at the distal end of arm 42, has a piston 49 therein. A rod 50 fixed at its upper end to the piston, has an electrically insulating separator or insert 51 attached to its lower end. A support rod 52 which is the functional equivalent of rod 28, FIG. 3, fonns a continuation of rod 50 and has its upper end attached to separator 51. The lower bulbous end 53 detachably secured to the lower end of rod 52, fits cavity 12 of cap 3 to detachably support the cap thereon. Rod 52 has a pair of collars 54, 55 fixed thereto for locating a disc 56 between them. The collars are adjustable on and along the rod so that a corresponding adjustment of the disc maybe effected. An L- shaped contact arm 57 has one end fixed to rod 52 above collar 54. The other end is located in a plane normal to the axis of rod 52, somewhat below the level of the rim of cap 3.

Cylinder 48 is double acting. Flow of fluid such as air, to the upper end of the cylinder is controlled by an electromagnetic valve 58, through pipe 60 likewise, flow of fluid to the lower end is controlled by electromagnetic valve 59, through pipe '61. These valves may be of a known piston-type. A controller '62 is rotated by a motor, not shown, at the desired time rate of a cycle of operation. This cycle is the time required for any one am such as 42, to make a complete 360 rotation. The controller .effects the necessary sequence of operations for each cycle and thus operates, inter alia, to close the circuit of valves 58, 59, as each arm moves into position at station I(., and to maintain the circuit for a predetermined interval of time, after which it operates to open the circuit. Thus, for example, controller 62 will be rotated once for each full 360 rotation of rotor 41 and will close the circuit of valves 58, 59 four times at uniformly spaced time intervals for each rotation. Alternatively, of course,.it may rotate four times for each full cycle and close the circuit of the valves once for each rotation. In both cases the circuit will be maintained for a predetermined relatively short time only. Due to piston rod 50 the effective area of the top face of the piston is greater than the corresponding area of the bottom face thereof, so that when both valves are opened the piston is forced downwardly and carries cap 3 with it.

Referring to FIG. 6, one of the caps 3 mounted upon the end of arm 42 or 44, is shown at station K, FIG. 4. A container 64 mounted on base 47 contains a bath of adhesive 65. The container supports horizontally aligned bearings at diametrically opposite locations as indicated at 66, 67. These bearings journal between them a flexible inflatable sphere 70 of rubber or the like, by means of trunnions or shafts 68, 69 whose inner ends bear cages 71, 72 secured to and supporting the sphere between them at diametrically opposite points. Shaft 69 includes an electromagnetic clutch 73. A pulley 74 is secured to the outer end of this shaft and is driven from a source of power, not shown, at a slow rate so that when clutch 73 is energized, sphere 70 is correspondingly turned. A cylinder 75 is fixed with container 64 is mounted coaxially about the outer end of shaft 68. The shaft carries an abutment 76 attached to its end, and a coil spring 77 about the shaft acts on the abutment to urge the shaft, sphere, etc. to the left as viewed upon FIG. 6, to thus urge the two halves of clutch 73 out of engagement when the latter is deenergized. Thus, with the clutch energized, sphere 70 is slowly rotated so that its surface is conl tinuously wetted with adhesive.

A switch arm 78 pivoted between its ends, has a contact 79 in the circuit of the electromagnet of clutch 73. The arm is so positioned that when cap 3, as it is lowered by piston 49, ap-

proaches contact with sphere 70, the arm is engaged by disc 56 and the clutch is deenergized to thus stop rotation of the sphere. Then on further descent'of the cap its rim contacts the sphere and acquires a coating of the adhesive. At this instant, disc 56 engages a second switch arm 80 having a contact 81 which is in circuit with the solenoid of valve 58. On deenergization, valve 58 is spring-operated to connect the top end of cylinder 48 with atmosphere so that as a result, pressure still effective through pipe 61, elevates the cap out of contact with the sphere. As soon as disc 56 moves upwardly beyond the position shown at FIG. 6, contact is closed at 79, clutch 73 is again energized and rotation of sphere 70 is resumed.

Turning to FIG. 7, there is shown mechanism at station L, FIG. 4, by which flocking or fibers are applied to the adhesivecoated areas of the cap or insulator then positioned at that station. Since cylinder 48, rod 50, separator 51, disc 56, etc. have been previously described, it is not necessary to repeat. The container for fibers 82 is shaped generally to conform to the lower halves of two contiguous cylindrical brushes 83, 84, journaled in the container on horizontal, horizontally-spaced axes 85, 86, respectively. The shafts of the brushes are geared together externally of the casing, as shown upon FIG. 4, and one of the gears is in mesh with a pinion on the shaft of motor 92. Thus, as indicated by the arrows of FIG. 7, the brushes are rotated equally and oppositely.

The container 82 includes a cover 87 secured thereto and having a central opening from which an upstanding sleeve 88 extends. The sleeve is sized to freely accommodate cap 3 as the latter descends thereinto under control of pressure fluid in cylinder 48, and is so dimensioned that when a cap 3 is properly located over and centrally between the brushes, disc 56 rests upon and seals the upper end of the sleeve. Cover 87 supports a pair of rectangular rubber sheets 89, 90. For exam ple, sheet 89 is fixed along one edge thereof to cover 87 and is held and so dimensioned thatit extends generally tangential to brush 83 at its top, and with its opposite edge in contact with the bristles of the brush. Sheet 90 is similarly and allochirally related with respect to brush 84.

Thus as the brushes rotate, their bristles are flexed oppositelyto their directions of rotation as they contact the respective sheets. As the deflected bristles pass outof contact with the sheets they snap forwardly and project a steady stream of entrained fibers onto the adhesive-coated surface of the cap or stem then at the station. As indicated at 91, a supply of fibers is continuously fed into container 82 so that the brushes are maintained impregnated therewith.

It will be understood that as each arm 42, etc., bearing a cap or a stem, as the case may be, is indexed to position with its distal end over sleeve 88 at station L, a circuit is closed introducing pressure fluid into the cylinder at that station, to thus effect lowering of the element into approximately the position shown upon FIG. 7. The control mechanism for doing this includes a switch lever and contacts such as 80, 81 described in connection with FIG. 6. However, in place of contact means 78, 79, FIG. 6, a control circuit for motor 92 driving brushes 83, 84, includes a mercury globule 93 within capsule 94. This capsule is so constructed and adjustably fixed that when cap 3 is lowered to proper position with respect to the brushes, the end of contact arm 57 touches the mercury and closes a circuit to energize motor 92. The motor then rotates the brushes to spray fibers onto the adhesive-coated surface of the cap or the stem, as the case may be. A predetermined time later, coordinated with or determined by controller 62, the motor circuit is opened, as by a time relay, until valve 58 has been actuated to connect pipe 60 with exhaust and contact 57 has been elevated free of mercury 93. Contact between arm 57 and the meccury is also utilized to energize anelectrostatic generator, not shown, but which acts to induce a field at the cap or stem, aligning .-the fibers as they adhere thereto.

FIG. 8 shows the mechanism located at station M, FIG. 4, where excess fibers adhering to the cap or stem are removed and collected for reuse. An enclosure 95 generally cylindrical chamber contains a filter element 98 through which air is exhausted as it passes from the enclosure to a motor-driven pump 99, through intake pipe 100.

A nozzle 101 extends upwardly and centrally within enclosure 95 and is connected with the output pipe of pump 99, as indicated at 102. This output pipe is also connected with a hollow torus 103 having a circular ring of apertures 104, and fixed within the enclosure, as shown.

As a cap 3, for example, arrives over enclosure 95 at station M, valves 58, 59 are actuated in the manner described in connection with FIG. 5, to cause lowering of the cap until disc 56 rests upon the rim of the enclosure. At this point, arm 57 closes a contact starting the motor-driving pump 99. Air is then forced through nozzle I01 blowing excess fibers from the interior of the cap. Simultaneously, air is blown through apertures 104 thus removing fibers adhering to the exterior of the cap. These excess fibers are drawn through pipe 96 and retained by filter 98 in chamber 97 where they are periodically collected for reuse in container 82. After a predetermined time, a time-controlled relay opens the circuit of the pump motor and as valve 58 is deenergized to open cylinder 48 to exhaust, the cap is elevated out of the enclosure and the rotor is indexed one step until the cap arrives at station I where it is removed and transferred to a drier or oven for hardening of the adhesive, and another cap is mounted on the arm for treatment. It will be understood that all time functions may be under the control of controller 62, FIG. 5, so that all times of operation such as rotation of brushes 83, 8'4, and operation of pump 99 are properly correlated.

It has been previously explained that, referring to FIG. 4, arms 42 and 44 support caps 3 at their distal ends while alternate arms 43, 45 support stems 6. FIG. 9 shows the construction at the distal end of each or arms 44,45, FIG. 4. Since insulating separator 51, rod 52 and contact arm 57 may be duplicates of those described in connection with FIG. 5, they have been identified by the same reference numerals. However, instead of the bulbous enlargement 53, rod 52 carries a socketed element 105 detachably secured to its lower end to receive and detachably support the bulbous end 11 of stem 6. Also disc 56a has a cylindrical skirt 56b depending therefrom coaxially with support rod 52, for a purpose subsequently explained. Thus as each arm 43 or 45 is indexed into station I, FIG. 4, a treated stem is removed from its socket, for transfer toa drying means, and an untreated stem is mounted as shown, FIG. 9.

As each stem is indexed into station K and lowered by the timed introduction or air under pressure into its cylinder 48, its lower end contacts sphere 70 which, in the manner previously explained, is now motionless, and receives a coating of adhesive. At station L the brushes 83, 84 dust the adhesivecoated surface with fibers 91, and at station M the excess fibers adhering to the stem are removed and recovered, as previously explained in connection with FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 10, one stem 6 is shown at station M. Skirt 56b of disc 56a is for the purpose of compensating for the greater overall vertical dimension of the stems, and has a width such that when its lower rim contacts therim of enclosure 95, it makes a dusttight seal therewith and the adhesivelycoated surface of the end 7 of stem 6, lines just above nozzle 101. Thus, in the manner previously described in connection with FIG. 8, when the parts are in the position shown upon FIG. 10, air jets from nozzle 101 and, apertures 104, blow away excess fibers adhering to the surfaces not coated with adhesive. These fibers are drawn into chamber 97 and collected for reuse.

FIG. 11 shows a modification wherein the pressure fluid cylinders are stationary, one at each of the stations K, I. and M, and thus do not rotate as a unit with rotor 41. The fluid pressure cylinder 106 is one of three. Piston 107 therein has a rod 108 which terminates at its lower end in alignment with a tappet I09 fixed with a plunger 110 slidably fitting a cylinder 8 or guide 111. A rod 112 corresponding in function with rod 50, FIG. 5, has one of the electrically insulating separators 51 secured to its lower end and which, in turn, carries a rod 52 and disc 56 as described in connection with FIG. 5. Likewise a I contact arm 57 may be a duplicate of the one shown at FIG. 5.

A compression coil spring 113 within cylinder lll abuts at its upper end against plunger'110 and'at its lower end against the base of the cylinder, and'thusacts to urge rod 112 and parts attached thereto, into the position shown. There will be one of these assemblies of cylinder 111, rods 112, 52, etc., secured to the end of each of arms 42, 43, 44 and 45. The indexing mechanism which determines the four'90 positions of rotor 41, is so adjusted that when any'arm is in its indexed position at one of the stations K, L or M, its tappet 109 is aligned with the rod 108 'at that station and slightly spaced therebelow. when controller 62, FIG. 5, energizes valves 58, 5 9 to admit air under pressure to cylinder 106, rod 108 is thereby'forced downwardly against the urge of spring 113, to correspondingly move rod 52, disc 56,- as and for the purpose previously described. Since each of these three cylinders is fixed, the construction shown upon FIG. 11 does not require any slip-joint or rotary couplings in the air pressure lines.

While I have disclosed the preferred form of the apparatus comprising the invention, numerous changes, substitutions of equivalents, parts'and materials, and modifications, will readily occur to those skilled in the art, after a study of the foregoing description. Hence the disclosure should be taken in an il- Iustrative rather than a limiting sense. All changes andr'n'odifications within the scope of the subjoined claims, are reserved.

lclaimi I 1". Apparatus for forming gaskets in situ upon the downwardly facing surfaces only, of a cap element and a stem element prior to-assembly of said elements into a unitary electrical insulator, a generally horizontal base, a rotor journaled on said base for rotation on a vertical axis, and for vertical translation. along said axis from an elevated position, to a lowered position therealong, said rotor comprising a plurality of arms radiating from said axis in equiangularly disposed relation, for rotation o'versaid base, the improvement comprising, means carried by the distal end of each alternate one of said arms, for supporting a cap element with downwardly facing surface to be coated, means carried by the distal end of each' of the remaining ones of said arms for supporting a stem element with a fiat end thereof to be coatedfacing downwardly, means connected with said rotor to periodically index each arm in sequence over first, second, third and fourth work sta-' tions sequentially and uniformly angularly spaced-about said axis, and for translating said rotor and arms when in indexed position, vertically from said first to said second positions, first means at saidfirst station to apply a coating of adhesive to the downwardly facing surface of the element indexed thereover,

second means at said second stationto apply a coating of flock 5 to said adhesive-coated surface of the element indexedfrom said first station, and third means at said third station to remove excess flock adhering to uncoated areas of the element indexed from said second station, completed elements being removed from, and an unfinished element being at-. tached to each arm indexed to said fourth station, application of adhesive, application of flock, and removal of excess flock,

as aforesaid, being effected only by and in response to transla-" tion of said rotor from its said elevated to its said lowered position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said first means comprising a first container for adhesive, an inflatable sphere of resilient material, means j'ournaling and rotating said sphere within said.

container about an essentially horizontal diameter thereof,

and means responsive to indexing of each arm, in sequence,

into said first position, to translate said rotor from said elevated to said lowered position and thereby move the ele'- ment carried thereby into contact with said sphere.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, a motor connected with'said sphere to rotate the same about said diameter thereof, a nor mally closed'circuit energizing said'motor and including switch means opened by and in response to approach of the element at said first station toward said sphere, to open said circuit.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, said second means comprising a second container for flock, first and second cylindrical brushes, means journaling said brushes in said second container for rotation on spaced parallel axes, means connected with said brushes for rotating the same oppositely, and means engaging and deflecting the bristles of said brushes as they approach an element indexed at said second station, to effect a spray of flock onto and over the element thereat.

5. The apparatus of claim [,said first-named means comprising a plurality of fluid pressure-operated means each carried by a respective one of said arms for rotation as a unit therewith, each said fluid pressure-operated means including a holder vertically movable by and in response to introduction of fluid under pressure thereinto, each holder carried by each said alternate am having a bulbous depending end releasably fitting in a cap element, each holder carried by the remaining arms having a depending recessed end to receive and removably hold a bulbous end of-a stem.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, each said fluid pressureoperated means comprising a vertically disposed fluid pressure cylinder, piston and rod, each said holder being detachably secured to the projecting end of a respective one of said rods.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, a plurality of containers each fixed at a respective one of said first, second and third work stations and enclosing a respective one of said first, second and third means, and a plurality of covers each fixed with a respective one of said rods and positioned thereon to fit down over the container over which it is indexed, by and in response to downward movement of its rod, controller means operated in timed relation with rotation of said rotor, and valve means operated by said controller to introduce fluid under pressure into each said cylinder substantially simultaneously with indexing of said arms into said stations, as aforesaid.

8. The apparatus of claim I, first, second and third fluid pressure-operated means each fixed at a respective one of said work stations, each said fluid pressure-operated means including a member vertically reciprocable over the arm indexed at its station, said first-named means including a vertically reciprocable rod, each said rod having its upper end below and spaced from a corresponding one of said members when said rotor is in indexed position, a controller operated in timed relation with said rotor, and valve means operated by said controller to substantially simultaneously introduce fluid under pressure into all said fluid pressure-operated means, by and in response to movement of said rotor into indexed positions, thereby moving said members and rods downwardly, and first, second and third containers at said respective stations, each enclosing a respective one of said first, second and third means, and positioned to receive the elements carried by the arms indexed at the respective stations when moved downwardly in response to introduction of pressure fluid into said fluid pressure-operated means.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, and means yieldingly urging each said rod into a limiting upward position.

10. In an apparatus for the production of electrical insulators of the type described, a container for adhesive, a hollow resilient part mounted in said container for rotation about an axis of symmetry thereof, power driven means connected with said hollow resilient part to rotate the same about said axis, means operable to move an element of an insulator over said part, means energized in response to indexing of the element over said part, to lower said element into contact with said part, and means responsive to lowering of said element ad jacent to said part to render said power driven means ineffective.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, said power driven means including a clutch, said last-named means operating to open said clutch. 

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said first means comprising a first container for adhesive, an inflatable sphere of resilient material, means journaling and rotating said sphere within said container about an essentially horizontal diameter thereof, and means responsive to indexing of each arm, in sequence, into said first position, to translate said rotor from said elevated to said lowered position and thereby move the element carried thereby into contact with said sphere.
 3. The appAratus of claim 2, a motor connected with said sphere to rotate the same about said diameter thereof, a normally closed circuit energizing said motor and including switch means opened by and in response to approach of the element at said first station toward said sphere, to open said circuit.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, said second means comprising a second container for flock, first and second cylindrical brushes, means journaling said brushes in said second container for rotation on spaced parallel axes, means connected with said brushes for rotating the same oppositely, and means engaging and deflecting the bristles of said brushes as they approach an element indexed at said second station, to effect a spray of flock onto and over the element thereat.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, said first-named means comprising a plurality of fluid pressure-operated means each carried by a respective one of said arms for rotation as a unit therewith, each said fluid pressure-operated means including a holder vertically movable by and in response to introduction of fluid under pressure thereinto, each holder carried by each said alternate arm having a bulbous depending end releasably fitting in a cap element, each holder carried by the remaining arms having a depending recessed end to receive and removably hold a bulbous end of a stem.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, each said fluid pressure-operated means comprising a vertically disposed fluid pressure cylinder, piston and rod, each said holder being detachably secured to the projecting end of a respective one of said rods.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, a plurality of containers each fixed at a respective one of said first, second and third work stations and enclosing a respective one of said first, second and third means, and a plurality of covers each fixed with a respective one of said rods and positioned thereon to fit down over the container over which it is indexed, by and in response to downward movement of its rod, controller means operated in timed relation with rotation of said rotor, and valve means operated by said controller to introduce fluid under pressure into each said cylinder substantially simultaneously with indexing of said arms into said stations, as aforesaid.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, first, second and third fluid pressure-operated means each fixed at a respective one of said work stations, each said fluid pressure-operated means including a member vertically reciprocable over the arm indexed at its station, said first-named means including a vertically reciprocable rod, each said rod having its upper end below and spaced from a corresponding one of said members when said rotor is in indexed position, a controller operated in timed relation with said rotor, and valve means operated by said controller to substantially simultaneously introduce fluid under pressure into all said fluid pressure-operated means, by and in response to movement of said rotor into indexed positions, thereby moving said members and rods downwardly, and first, second and third containers at said respective stations, each enclosing a respective one of said first, second and third means, and positioned to receive the elements carried by the arms indexed at the respective stations when moved downwardly in response to introduction of pressure fluid into said fluid pressure-operated means.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, and means yieldingly urging each said rod into a limiting upward position.
 10. In an apparatus for the production of electrical insulators of the type described, a container for adhesive, a hollow resilient part mounted in said container for rotation about an axis of symmetry thereof, power driven means connected with said hollow resilient part to rotate the same about said axis, means operable to move an element of an insulator over said part, means energized in response to indexing of the element over said part, to lower said element into contact with said part, and means responsive to lowering of said element adjacEnt to said part to render said power driven means ineffective.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, said power driven means including a clutch, said last-named means operating to open said clutch. 